Will Second Time be the Charm for Zwicker?

From left; Vella, Levin and Zwicker participating last week in Senate President Steve Sweeney’s (D-3) Princeton press conference on public safety.

Andrew Zwicker, a plasma physicist from Rocky Hill and a Democrat, this morning is threatening to displace Assemblywoman Donna Simon (R-16) of Hunterdon County.

Elections officials are considering provisional ballots, which will shape the outcome of the election.

Zwicker last year impressed onlookers with his debate prowess in CD12. Promising to represent the district like retiring U.S. Rep. Rush Holt, the brainy scientist presented himself as a progressive while routinely flustering more experienced Democratic Party politicians with a style equal parts urbane, witty and politically savvy.

It’s looking very good for Zwicker, who holds a narrow lead over Simon with provisionals left to be counted in Democratic-leaning towns South Brunswick and Princeton. He plans to caucus with the regrouped Assembly Democrats, who gather on Monday.